Cat hungry at night...

jb68711 · Aug 19, 2015

I posted before about my cat Levi always being hungry... I've been able to decrease his feeding during the day but nights have been horrible. I feed him right before I go to bed and 4 or 5 hours later he's meowing for food again causing me to get up and feed him. It's been hard for me to go back to sleep. I'm tempted to leave a huge bowl of food for him now before I go to bed, but I doubt that is a good idea. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

stephenq · Aug 19, 2015

JB68711 said:
I posted before about my cat Levi always being hungry... I've been able to decrease his feeding during the day but nights have been horrible. I feed him right before I go to bed and 4 or 5 hours later he's meowing for food again causing me to get up and feed him. It's been hard for me to go back to sleep. I'm tempted to leave a huge bowl of food for him now before I go to bed, but I doubt that is a good idea. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Is his weight stable, gaining or decreasing?

How much - as exactly as possible - do you feed him per day?

How old is he?

Cats who are always hungry often have an underlying medical condition like hyperthyroidism. Has he seen a vet?

jb68711 · Aug 19, 2015

I feed him about 6 oz wet food per day, but space it out as much as I can (3 to 4 times a day). He was 16 pounds about a month ago... I haven't weighed him very recently. He was in the vet two months ago for urinary blockage, which he had recovered from... But they were focusing on that.

stephenq · Aug 19, 2015

Has his appetite changed? Are you feeding him less than before? If yes, when did his hunger get more intense? Is it possible because you are trying to limit his caloric intake and regulate his weight? He may be a high appetite cat and that he is responding to your attempts to limit his diet. If so, there are some weight loss prescription diets that add non-calorie fiber (cellulose) to try and trick them into feeling full on less calories.

jb68711 · Aug 19, 2015

Well first I took him from dry food to wet food because of the lack of moisture in dry food (the urinary crystal problem). Then I did try to start feeding him recommended daily intake, 6 ounces. I either have 1 5.5 ounce can or 2 3 ounce can that I try to portion out. Maybe I shouldn't worry about doing that? I don't think it's that his appetite had changed, he's a big cat and I'm trying to get him down in weight.

mrsgreenjeens · Aug 19, 2015

What EXACTLY are you feeding him. some cat food is very low in calories and may simply not be enough for him. For instance, many of the Weruva cans only have about 60 calories per 3 oz. If you are feeding him 2 of those cans per day, thans only 120 calories for a 16 (ish) pound cat. Even though it's very high protein it's probably not nearly enough calories for him. Same with some 5.5 oz cans. Some of them only have maybe 130 calories in them, so almost the same. Not nearly enough calories.

stephenq · Aug 20, 2015

JB68711 said:
Well first I took him from dry food to wet food because of the lack of moisture in dry food (the urinary crystal problem). Then I did try to start feeding him recommended daily intake, 6 ounces. I either have 1 5.5 ounce can or 2 3 ounce can that I try to portion out. Maybe I shouldn't worry about doing that? I don't think it's that his appetite had changed, he's a big cat and I'm trying to get him down in weight.

OK it sounds like its a safe bet that he's so hungry because of the weight loss protocol, but that needs to be balanced with his appetite or he's going to go crazy. Maybe his biggest meal has to be at night, or perhaps you need to leave some dry food out. Or get a prescription weight loss food. Getting a cat down in weight isn't always as easy as just putting a firm limit on food, but a negotiation. And the goal is slow and steady weight loss. 1-2 pounds off in a year isn't too slow, and fast weight loss can actually be dangerous in cats. I suspect you're rushing it and making you and him both unhappy. Talk to your vet.

mrsgreenjeens · Aug 20, 2015

StephenQ said:
JB68711 said:

Well first I took him from dry food to wet food because of the lack of moisture in dry food (the urinary crystal problem). Then I did try to start feeding him recommended daily intake, 6 ounces. I either have 1 5.5 ounce can or 2 3 ounce can that I try to portion out. Maybe I shouldn't worry about doing that? I don't think it's that his appetite had changed, he's a big cat and I'm trying to get him down in weight.

Click to expand...

OK it sounds like its a safe bet that he's so hungry because of the weight loss protocol, but that needs to be balanced with his appetite or he's going to go crazy. Maybe his biggest meal has to be at night, or perhaps you need to leave some dry food out. Or get a prescription weight loss food. Getting a cat down in weight isn't always as easy as just putting a firm limit on food, but a negotiation. And the goal is slow and steady weight loss. 1-2 pounds off in a year isn't too slow, and fast weight loss can actually be dangerous in cats. I suspect you're rushing it and making you and him both unhappy. Talk to your vet.

IF you decide to leave some kibble out at night, be sure it's a food for cats with CRYSTALS, otherwise you may be asking for trouble

. I DO like the idea of offering him a little more at bedtime though

. Still interested in just how many calories are in what you feeding him

Cat hungry at night...

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